Monday, September 6, 2010

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

I have wanted to do a layout about my trip to New York to attend a book reading and signing by J.K. Rowling when Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows came out in October of 2007 (the final book of the series) - - and I finally got the inspiration and the challenge.

This layout was created for Week 2 of the Treasured Hunt - - a contest going on right now at Treasured Scrapbooking. One of the requirements for this week's layout was to use a book title for your layout title.....and this was just the catalyst I needed to get me started! Inspiration just took hold!

I cannot get enough of the Helmar Crackle Medium - - it is so fun to work with and really gives character to my journaling cover. With all of the different textures and materials on this layout, I used a full array of Helmar Adhesives - - 450 Quick Dry (metal elements, pressed plant) Acid Free Glue (papers and photos, also the page from a vintage book) and of course Gemstone Glue on my Gryffindor House banner!

· I found a Harry Potter font online, printed it on cardstock and cut the letters out by hand.· I cut the image of Hedwig the owl from a children’s poster, adhered it to chipboard and then used Helmar Crackle Medium on it.· For the Gryffindor House banner, I found the image online but really wanted it on fabric. So, using Helmar V2 spray I attached a piece of fabric to cardstock and ran it through my printer.· The book page is from a 1915 textbook called “Chief Contemporary Dramatists” that I found at a thrift store.· The feather, pressed flower, owl and banner all represent different things from the Harry Potter books.· On the edges of my cardstock, I used Tattered Angel masks and ink.

Journaling (hidden under “owl communiqué”)

"This is not just any copy of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows”

This book is a first edition (note the hologram seal) signed by J.K. Rowling on October 19th, 2007 at Carnegie Hall in New York during the “Open Book Tour”.

This was one of only three appearances in 2007 that the author made in the United States after a 7 year hiatus. Two of these readings were held at schools only for specially selected children to attend.

The book reading and signing at Carnegie Hall was extra special; the only persons attending were 1,000 fans from all over the world whose names were randomly drawn in a sweepstakes sponsored by Scholastic. As a self-proclaimed “Harry Potter Nerd”, imagine my excitement when I received a phone call telling me where to pick up my tickets! These lucky fans were allowed to bring one guest (I chose mom!) Fans who were awarded this incredible opportunity were required to pay their own transportation and lodging expenses to attend this event. That so many people were willing to do this speaks to just how much these amazing books have influenced and affected this generation and will continue to affect generations yet to discover Harry Potter.

And Oh, the things you learn when listening to an author talk about their books, writing process and inspirations!!

At the end of the book reading, selected guests were allowed to ask questions of the author. One young girl asked if Dumbledore had ever had a long lost love or negative experience with a woman as there was never any mention in any of the books of a love interest for the enigmatic headmaster of Hogwarts. The author replied that she had always considered the character of Dumbledore to be “gay” - - this brought a moment of silence, an audible gasp from the entire audience, quickly followed by thunderous applause and cheers and one audience member who apparently so identified with this, jumped from his seat and did a dance. What other author has tackled so many social mores and issues in a “children’s book”. After the chaos of this revelation died down, Ms Rowling remarked that this tidbit would probably be in the news, and garner her more unwarranted negative comments and hate mail!

Sure enough, the very next day, CNN reported that Dumbledore was gay.

It should be noted, for those who were not lucky enough to attend one of her 3 book readings, that in addition to her incredible talent at writing and bringing characters to life, J.K. Rowling is quite beautiful, quite well spoken and possesses a poise that is able to hold an audience of 2,000 in rapt attention.

It was an experience I will always treasure.

Savor every sentence of this book, the last in the series and pass it on to your own children."